Meal and Deal gives you tips on great places in the Capital Region to get a good meal, afternoon pick-me-up espresso or after-work glass of cabernet while working at your laptop, brainstorming at a lunch meeting or entertaining out-of-town clients. Susie Davidson Powell, the Times Union's restaurant reviewer, brings you the details in each issue of Women@Work.

The surge in Capital Region dining options means choosing the perfect spot to entertain clients or make a pitch is as easy as a click on Open Table. Less so for lunch when you may be short on time, and returning to the office with the aroma of burgers on your suit is a deal breaker.

Luckily, TALA: An American Bistro has you covered. Symbiotically located beside the 12,000-square-foot Rumors Salon and Spa on Route 9 in Colonie, its sleekly modern interior and multitasking menus are creatively raising the game from ladies who lunch to ladies who launch.

With executive chef Derek Adams, formerly of The Gingerman and Max London's, at the helm, TALA's new menus are bright with playful flavors from Escalivada Catalan pizza to drunken onions and melted Gorgonzola on an open steak sandwich. Whether you hit Rumors' Voila! Blow Dry Bar for a sneaky boost before lunch or dial up an artisanal mocktail or cocktail at the bar, TALA proves the style behind the power lunch endures. W

More Information

With everything under $20 on the lunch menu, you won't need to fight over the bill. Pizzas from $12 to $18, salads $9 to $10 (more with protein). Entrées range from $13 to $17. Cocktails and mocktails, $7 to $12. Indulge in wines by the half glass $4 to $8.50, by the glass, $7 to $12, and by the bottle, with most in the $40 to $80 range.

-- WHEN TO GO: Meet clients for lunch or dine alone and squeeze in a spa service. TALA offers a popular dinner menu, happy hour cocktails and dinners for Take Out Tuesdays. Lunch: Monday to Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner: Monday to Saturday 5:30 to 10 p.m. and Sunday 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday brunch: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bar menu available Monday to Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. with extended Friday and Saturday hours.

-- WHAT TO EAT: Don't miss the Edamame Dumplings ($13) with white truffle, shitake broth, Maitake mushrooms and scallions, arguably the Capital Region's most heavenly dish. The classic soup and sandwich combo gets a clever twist as the Bento Lunch Box with a choice of soup, salad, half sandwich and side ($14 to $18). Gourmet pizzas with gluten-free options available.